Round 10 Preview – League One Men’s
An important weekend awaits us in the FNSW League One Men’s with some intriguing clashes at both ends of the table.
Our match of the round is an important one particularly for the visitors, while four of our bottom five sides look to have winnable matches.
That and more in our preview below.
Match of the Round: Hakoah FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles; Saturday 13 April, 4:30pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Two sides searching for their third straight victory face each other in the match of the round as Hakoah FC host Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Hensley Athletic Field.
After both clubs had a week off last weekend due to respective wash outs, this is the second of two clashes between the two in the space of five days. Hakoah prevailing 6-3 Tuesday night in the Australia Cup.
Prior to that meeting, Hakoah last featured in a high scoring thriller at Rydalmere Park in round eight action. Sitting in third position on 16 points, a win here would keep them in touch of the top two sides, while denting the prospects of their opposition.
While Bonnyrigg took away three points from their trip to Lynwood Park against a stubborn Macarthur Rams outfit. Their back-to-back victories putting them back on course after a tough opening six weeks to the season.
In a game where both sides were relatively full-strength midweek, Nicholas Drummond picked up a brace Tuesday night, joined by four other goal scorers. While George Tuson-Firth got some minutes under the belt for the hosts as well.
Whereas for Bonnyrigg, Emmanuel Gonzalez opened their account to make it 1-1, before Stefan Nikolic came off the bench to score a second half brace so he stands out as a player to watch for the visitors.
A big game for both sides, you can catch this one on the Football NSW youtube page under the live tab. It’s a good way to start your Saturday night if you ask me.
Other Features
Bulls FC Academy v Inter Lions; Saturday 13 April, 3pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Bulls FC Academy host Inter Lions in what promises to be an entertaining clash between two free scoring sides at Sydney United Sports Centre.
We’ll start with the visitors Inter Lions for this one since they were the most recent side to take the field. Picking up their fourth victory of the season over Northern Tigers last weekend, they sit five points below their hosts in sixth position.
After a subdued opening from John Theo’s side, their first goal gave them confidence to take control of that one. Ahmad Taleb has eight goals so far this season, while Jordan Morfitis and Fikret Berisha will also play a role in their attack in this one.
They will be up against a well-rested Bulls FC Academy side who had their round nine fixture with Bonnyrigg White Eagles postponed. Sitting in second position they have the best goals per game ratio while also possessing the third best defense in the league.
Last time they featured, they took out a 6-1 victory over Canterbury Bankstown in our match of the round. Plenty of good performances across the park in that one with Abdelelah Faisal scoring a hat-trick to lead the way in that one.
Rydalmere Lions v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 13 April, 7pm, Rydalmere Park
After capturing their second victory of the season last weekend, Macarthur Rams will be looking for another win to take them clear of the bottom two when they travel to face Rydalmere Lions.
An intriguing battle between a side who has conceded the second most goals in the division against a side who has struggled to score.
The hosts Rydalmere Lions come into this one on the back of two straight defeats against Hakoah and Bankstown City. In 10th position after the opening nine rounds, a win will keep them away from danger below them.
Last weeks win was a much needed one for Macarthur Rams as they began a new era at the club. Both their wins so far this season have come on the road, last weekends one against UNSW FC. Their three goals the highest attacking output of the season so far.
So, what are we looking out for here? Well firstly, a response from the hosts who went down by a three-goal margin last weekend. And bouncing back from disappointing defeats has been a theme of the season so far doing so more than once so far.
And secondly, Macarthur Rams have scored five of their eight goals this season in the opening half hour. Anthony Proia their top scorer so far this season.
Quickfire Previews
Bankstown City v Canterbury Bankstown; Friday 12 April, 8pm, Jensen Park
Five wins in their last six games, Bankstown City are cementing themselves as a contender for the top two as we close in on a third of the season gone. Last weekend they picked up a three-goal victory over Rydalmere with Mabior Garang and Chris Payne scoring the goals.
Canterbury Bankstown put together a much-improved showing against Mt Druitt Town Rangers. After a heavy defeat against Bulls FC Academy last weekend, they took the lead in that one. Marco Turpeinen has some scoring form in recent times so his our player to watch here.
Dulwich Hill v Nepean FC; Saturday 13 April, 5pm, Arlington Oval
Dulwich Hill picked up a big win in round nine action as they look to push up the table. Prevailing 4-1 over another team around them on the table Dunbar Rovers, Emmanuel Zervas continued his good scoring form there in a good team performance.
A washed-out fixture last weekend gave Nepean FC the chance to regroup after the first eight rounds. Sitting in 16th position, they have one win and two draws to their name so far and this game looks to be one they can take something from.
Northern Tigers v Blacktown Spartans; Saturday 13 April, 6:30pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Waning to bounce back after three straight defeats, Northern Tigers will be confident of a result in this one. Those three games have all been against good sides, last week going down to Inter Lions on the road. They couldn’t capitalize on a good start, so that’s something they’ll want to put right here.
Their opposition Blacktown Spartans come into this one having drew three of their last five fixtures. Last weekend against SD Raiders, it was their defensive players who impressed the most. Jacob Madden leading the way with his performance in goal.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers v UNSW FC; Saturday 13 April, 7pm, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers picked up their second win in a row last weekend. After showing their defensive ability in throughout the opening six weeks, the goals have flowed since. Andre Martins leads their attack and they will want to put a midweek 5-1 cup defeat behind them.
Consistency is the name of the game for UNSW who have been struggling on that front. A win, a draw and a loss have been their last three results as they have settled in midtable. Last weekend saw a disappointing result going down to Macarthur Rams, response here?
Dunbar Rovers v SD Raiders; Saturday 13 April, 7pm, Fraser Park
Last weekend was a disappointing one for Dunbar Rovers who were beaten by another team in the bottom two fight. Two losses in two trips to the Inner West, they will be hoping home comforts bring a result here, Reece Berelowitz’s goal last week the one positive from that one.
Maybe this is the game in which the SD Raiders break their scoring drought. It’s now over a month since they found the back of the net, most recently drawing their past two game 0-0 against UNSW FC and Blacktown Spartans.
By Justin Smith
